Youth leaders demand dealing: Pandemie steals the youth to our young people!

Youth leaders demand dealing: Pandemie steals the youth to our young people!

Colin Haubrich and Pascal Groothuis, former regional student spokesman in Rhineland-Palatinate, brought the voice of hundreds of thousands of children and adolescents to heard during the Corona pandemic. They took over this responsibility at the age of 15 and 16, at a time that was initially shaped by a kind of "corona euphoria". The shifts of class work and school closings initially caused a certain relief. But after a few months the mood turned. When school trips and birthday parties failed and social life only took place digitally, the desire for an active participation was made.

Haubrich and Groothuis observed that there were talk about schools, but not with the students themselves. This led to them decided to become active and formulate political demands. At numerous meetings with decision -makers from the state government, they quickly learned how to communicate successfully. Their first steps were still shaped by uncertainty, but soon they developed a sense of political processes.

political challenges and reactions

The Landeschündührerverband (LSV), which they represented, even put an obligation to vaccinate for discussion. However, these demands were not without risk. Haubrich was confronted with hate messages and threats of murder, who were able to do it as concerned parents, while Groothuis took similar hostility with humor. It was particularly interesting that critical inquiries from classmates often stood in contrast to the negative feedback from adults. This dynamic illustrates how different age groups perceive the measures of pandemic.

Both young politicians, however, tackled the situation with resilience. They report that they had to accept the hostility as part of their political work. Despite difficult situations, they remained optimistic and continued the dialogue with important political personalities. Regular meetings with Prime Minister Malu Dreyer and Minister of Education Stefanie Hubig helped bridge the gap between politics and students. Groothuis often commuted to Mainz during the pandemic.

the need for processing

It is clear to both that a detailed processing of the pandemic is necessary. They criticize a "forgotten policy" that remains too often under the radar. Haubrich and Groothuis emphasize that pandemic had stolen their youth to many young people. These experiences could not simply be made up and left long -term traces. With the reference to the ongoing challenges and the assumption of responsibility of young people, they are calling for a differentiated discussion about the consequences of pandemic for the educational landscape.

Both have now changed their fields of study and are now studying politics for teaching in Trier and Marburg. This decision shows that their commitment to the rights and interests of young people will continue beyond their political activity. They have shaped their experiences during the corona crisis and continue to motivate them to work for a better future for all students.